Ryedale | Archive | 2002 | April | 25
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Thursday 25th Apr 2002.
Ryedale Junior
Closed Tournament
The new junior table tennis tournament last Saturday at Norton College was further proof that the sport is thriving in Ryedale. Helmsley Community Primary School Table Tennis Club dominated the event, winning all four main titles.
The event proved a great success, attracting over 50 players and parents. Even the town mayor, Coun Keith Mennell, attended with his wife to watch the generation doubles.
In the boys under-11 event, in which 16 players took part, Finn Needham, from Helmsley School, and club-mate Edward Fambely fought their way through to the final. Needham justified his number one seeding by winning the final without dropping a set.
Thomas Thorpe, from Amotherby School, lost to rising star Gareth Webb, in the plate.
It was a similar scenario in the under-14 boys competition, with the favourites meeting in the final. This time though, it was number two seed Aaran Rivis, who claimed the title. He came from behind twice to beat number one seed and Helmsley School mate Mungo Arney.
Christopher Campbell of sponsor Pedal Power presented the trophies.
In the afternoon, 16 juniors paired up with a parent or grandparent for the generation doubles.
The number one seeds Aaran Rivis and Tom Needham were knocked out by Edward and Peter Famberly in the semi-finals.
Number two seeds, Paul and William Young, went out in the quarter-finals to eventual finalists, David Smith junior and senior, from Ryedale Sports Club.
In the final, Edward and Peter Fambely found the two Davids tough opposition but Peter's superior spin serving, supported by Edward's hitting, proved decisive, as they were crowned champions.
Emma Fambely won the girl cadets title, beating her Helmsley School club-mate, Emily Glass. Susannah Trevelyan from Spaunton won the plate, beating Sabra Glass.
The mixed juniors under-17s event was won by Mungo Arney. He beat number one seed Paul Young, who reached the final by beating David Smith in the semi-finals.
Arney reached the final by beating Aaran Rivis to gain revenge for his earlier defeat. Arney won the final 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.
Jimmy Tonkinson from Norton College won the plate, beating Tom Harrison in the semi-finals and Craig Petch in the final, 15-13 in the third game. Petch beat Emma Fambely in the semi-finals.
Thanks were extended to referee Cliffe Edens; table managers, Gill Thorp, Peter Fambely, Tom Needham, John Gascoyne and Tony Kemp; to Andy Seed at the reception; to the ladies who organised and served the refreshments; to Norton College and to the organiser, Gerald Cosens.
Updated: 10:56 Thursday, April 25, 2002
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